📖 11 min read
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Few mornings are as joyful as Eid morning. After a month of fasting for Eid al-Fitr, or during the blessed days of pilgrimage for Eid al-Adha, the streets fill with families dressed in their finest clothes, the air echoes with takbirs, and hearts feel light. At the centre of this celebration is a moment of collective worship: the Eid prayer (salat al-‘Id). It is a distinctive prayer — it differs somewhat from the five daily prayers: there is no call to prayer, an unusual number of takbirs, and a sermon that comes afterwards rather than beforehand. As a result, many Muslims arrive at the prayer venue unsure of how it unfolds and simply follow the imam as best they can. This article explains it all: the precise sequence of the prayer, including its takbirs, the Sunnah practices surrounding it, and the practical rulings on its timing, status and location, for both Eids. It naturally complements our articles on the month of Ramadan (which ends with Eid al-Fitr) and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (which culminate in Eid al-Adha).
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنهما said: ‘I prayed Eid with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; he began with the prayer before the sermon, without adhan or iqama.’
— Narrated by Muslim (no. 887) and Al-Bukhari (nos. 958–960)
📋 Table of contents
- The two Eids and the ruling on their prayer
- When and where should you perform the Eid prayer?
- How to perform the prayer, step by step
- The number of takbirs: the views of the legal schools
- Sunnah practices surrounding the Eid prayer
- What should you do if you miss the prayer?
- ❓ Frequently asked questions
- Sources and references
1. The two Eids and the ruling on their prayer
Islam has two festivals (Eids): Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast on 1 Shawwal, and Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, on 10 Dhul-Hijjah during the Hajj period. The sequence of the Eid prayer is the same for both festivals; only some of the Sunnah practices surrounding it differ, as we will discuss below.
Scholars differ over its legal status: in the Hanafi school, the Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory); in the Hanbali school, it is a fard kifaya (collective obligation); in the Maliki and Shafi’i schools, it is a sunna mu’akkada (strongly recommended practice). All agree, however, on its great importance: the Prophet ﷺ never missed it and even instructed women to go out to attend. In any case, it should not be neglected without a valid reason.
2. When and where should you perform the Eid prayer?
The time: the prayer is performed after sunrise — approximately 15 to 20 minutes later, once the sun has risen — and until shortly before the sun reaches its zenith, at the start of Dhuhr time. There is only one Eid prayer, on the morning of the festival.
The place: the Sunnah is to perform it in a large outdoor space, the musalla, as the Prophet ﷺ did, to bring together as many people as possible. It may also be held in a mosque, particularly in bad weather.
No adhan or iqama: unlike the daily prayers, there is no call to prayer. Neither adhan nor iqama is recited, nor is any other announcement made.
This last point is firmly established in the Sunnah: Ibn ‘Abbas and Jabir رضي الله عنهم both reported that there was no adhan for either the Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha prayer (Al-Bukhari, no. 960; Muslim, no. 886).
3. How to perform the prayer, step by step
The Eid prayer consists of two rak’ahs, with additional takbirs that distinguish it from other prayers. Here is the sequence according to the most widely known description. We explain the differences over the number of takbirs in the next section.
1. Make the intention (niyya) to perform the Eid prayer, then recite the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar), raising your hands.
2. The additional takbirs of the first rak’ah: before the recitation, the imam says several additional takbirs, raising his hands with each one. The number varies between the legal schools; see below.
3. The recitation: the imam recites Al-Fatiha, followed by a surah, aloud — often Al-A’la in the first rak’ah.
4. The usual sequence of the rak’ah: bowing (ruku’) and prostrations (sujud), as in any prayer.
5. The second rak’ah: after standing up, the imam recites further additional takbirs, fewer than in the first rak’ah, then recites Al-Fatiha and a surah — often Al-Ghashiya — before completing the rak’ah.
6. The tashahhud and salam, as usual, to conclude the prayer.
The sermon (khutba) follows, delivered by the imam after the prayer. This is the reverse of the Friday prayer, where the sermon comes first. Staying to listen to the khutba is strongly recommended.
4. The number of takbirs: the views of the legal schools
This is the point on which the legal schools differ most, and knowing about it helps you avoid surprises at different mosques. The disagreement concerns the number of additional takbirs, rather than the principle itself.
Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools (the most widely known view): 7 takbirs in the first rak’ah and 5 takbirs in the second. The schools differ on a detail: should the opening takbir be included in the seven, and the takbir when standing up in the five? This explains small variations in counting, but the ‘seven, then five’ pattern is the best known.
Hanafi school: 3 additional takbirs in the first rak’ah, after the opening takbir, and 3 in the second , before bowing, with a different placement within the prayer.
Practical advice: these differences all rest on authentically reported practices of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions — none is ‘wrong’. In practice, simply follow your imam : raise your hands and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ with him each time he does so. If you pray behind an imam from a different school than your own, your prayer remains valid. The main thing is not to become unsettled over the count.
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5. Sunnah practices surrounding the Eid prayer
Eid morning includes a beautiful series of Prophetic recommendations that prepare the heart for the celebration:
Perform ghusl (the full ritual bath) before going to the prayer, and wear your finest clean clothes.
Eat before Eid al-Fitr, but not before Eid al-Adha: the Prophet ﷺ ate an odd number of dates before setting out for Eid al-Fitr (Al-Bukhari, no. 953). For Eid al-Adha, however, he only ate after the prayer, often meat from his sacrifice.
Recite the Eid takbirs frequently on the way (‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illa Allah…’), audibly for men.
Take different routes on the outward and return journeys, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
Exchange greetings: saying ‘Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum’ (May Allah accept from us and from you) is a beautiful practice reported from the Companions.
For Eid al-Adha, another major rite takes place after the prayer: the sacrifice (oudhiya). The Prophet ﷺ explained that the first act of the day is the prayer, followed by the sacrifice, and that someone who slaughters before the prayer is only providing ordinary meat, rather than a valid ritual sacrifice (Al-Bukhari, no. 968, narrated by Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib رضي الله عنه).
6. What should you do if you miss the prayer?
If you arrive late and join the imam while the prayer is in progress, you complete whatever you missed after his salam, as with any prayer. If you miss the congregational prayer entirely — because you arrived too late, were ill, were travelling or were otherwise unable to attend — the majority of scholars hold that you may perform it alone or in a small group, following the same sequence, but without a sermon, which belongs to the congregational prayer. Some then consider it a recommended make-up prayer rather than an obligatory one.
Women who do not go to the prayer venue, and anyone unable to attend, should not feel guilty: the spirit of Eid remains gratitude and joy. What matters is not deliberately missing this beautiful gathering without an excuse when you are able to attend.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How many rak'ahs are there in the Eid prayer?
The Eid prayer consists of two rak’ahs (two units of prayer), for both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. What distinguishes it is not the number of rak’ahs, but the additional takbirs recited in each one and the sermon that follows the prayer rather than preceding it. It is followed by a khutba (sermon), which you are strongly encouraged to stay and listen to.
How many takbirs should you recite in the Eid prayer?
This depends on the legal school. According to the most widely known view (Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali), there are seven takbirs in the first rak’ah and five in the second, with small variations depending on whether the opening takbir and the takbir when standing up are included. In the Hanafi school, there are three additional takbirs in the first rak’ah and three in the second, placed differently within the prayer. All these forms rest on authentic practices; none is wrong. In practice, simply follow the imam and repeat ‘Allahu Akbar’ with him each time.
Is there an adhan for the Eid prayer?
No. Unlike the five daily prayers, the Eid prayer has neither adhan (the call to prayer) nor iqama, nor any other announcement. This is firmly established in the Sunnah: Ibn ‘Abbas and Jabir رضي الله عنهم reported that there was no adhan for either Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha (Al-Bukhari, no. 960; Muslim, no. 886). The imam begins directly with the prayer and delivers the sermon afterwards.
What time is the Eid prayer performed?
It is performed on the morning of the festival, after sunrise — approximately 15 to 20 minutes later, once the sun has risen a little — and until shortly before the sun reaches its zenith, at the start of Dhuhr time. Arriving early is recommended. The Eid al-Adha prayer is held a little earlier to leave time for the sacrifice; the Eid al-Fitr prayer is slightly delayed to allow time to give Zakat al-Fitr and eat a few dates.
How do the Sunnah practices differ between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
The sequence of the prayer is identical, but two Sunnah practices differ. First, eating: for Eid al-Fitr, you eat an odd number of dates before setting out to pray, marking the end of fasting; for Eid al-Adha, you only eat after the prayer, ideally meat from the sacrifice. Second, Eid al-Adha includes the rite of sacrifice (oudhiya) after the prayer. This is absent from Eid al-Fitr, which is instead associated with Zakat al-Fitr, given before the prayer.
Can you pray Eid alone at home if you miss the prayer at the mosque?
The majority of scholars allow it. If you miss the congregational prayer because you are late, ill, travelling or unable to attend, you may perform it alone or in a small family group, following the same sequence of two rak’ahs with the takbirs, but without a sermon, which belongs to the congregation. Some then consider it a recommended make-up prayer. What matters is not deliberately missing the gathering without an excuse when you are able to attend, because attending is one of the festival’s major Sunnah practices.
Sources and references
Hadiths:
Sahih Al-Bukhari (nos. 958–960) and Sahih Muslim (no. 887) — The Eid prayer before the sermon, without adhan or iqama (narrated by Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah and Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهم)
Sahih Muslim (no. 886) — No adhan or iqama for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha (narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas and Jabir رضي الله عنهم)
Sahih Al-Bukhari (no. 989) and Sahih Muslim (no. 884) — The Prophet ﷺ prayed two rak’ahs on Eid, without praying before or after them at the venue (narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما)
Sahih Al-Bukhari (no. 953) — Eating an odd number of dates before Eid al-Fitr (narrated by Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه)
Sahih Al-Bukhari (no. 968) — The first act on Eid al-Adha is the prayer, followed by the sacrifice; slaughtering before the prayer does not count as a valid ritual sacrifice (narrated by Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib رضي الله عنه)
Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (no. 542) and Sunan Ibn Majah (no. 1756) — Eating before Eid al-Fitr, but not before Eid al-Adha — Hadith graded authentic
Further references:
Ibn Qudama, Al-Mughni — On the legal status of the Eid prayer and the number of takbirs according to the legal schools
Ibn Rushd, Bidayat al-Mujtahid — A comparative overview of the legal schools’ views on the Eid prayer
Note: the legal status of the prayer — obligatory, a collective obligation or a strongly recommended Sunnah — and the exact number of takbirs vary between the legal schools. This article presents the main views; in practice, follow the imam of your mosque.
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